All posts by jamshaid

At Mosquito Joe, we know how annoying mosquitoes can be, especially when trying to enjoy your backyard with your friends and family. Not only do their bites cause terrible itchiness and irritation, but these pests can also carry diseases. Because mosquitoes are such an annoyance, there have been many theories to explain their behavior, tips and tricks to keep them away and suggested home remedies. To help decipher facts from fiction, Mosquito Joe is here to debunk those myths, so you have all of the important facts about these pests.

MYTH: BOTH MALES AND FEMALES BITE.

Only female mosquitoes bite, while male mosquitoes feed on nectar and plant juices. Female mosquitoes use the protein from the blood she takes from humans and other animals to develop her eggs.

FACT: ONE MOSQUITO CAN LAY THOUSANDS OF EGGS.

A single female can lay deposits of up to 300 eggs at a time on the water surface. One mosquito can also lay eggs three to four times during their lifetime before dying. That means that a single female mosquito can lay up to 1,200 eggs, all in your backyard in as little as a bottlecap of water.

MYTH: THE MOSQUITO DIES AFTER BITING A HUMAN.

Unlike some species of bees, mosquitoes do not die after biting a human. In fact, some species are known to bite multiple times throughout the night until they are full. 

For example, when a honey bee strikes, the barb gets stuck in the person or animal being stung, the stinger gets ripped out and the bee dies instantly. Mosquitoes, on the other hand, pierce the skin with a proboscis, or mouthpiece. When the mosquito is done feeding, it doesn’t leave the proboscis behind, so it flies away full and unharmed.

FACT: CERTAIN BLOOD TYPES CAN ATTRACT MORE MOSQUITOES.

Research has found that people with Type O blood are twice as attractive to mosquitoes than those with Type A blood. Those with Type B fall in the middle. On top of that, 85% of people produce a secretion that signals what blood type they are. So, if you are Type O and a secretor, mosquitoes probably think you’re pretty tasty. You can learn more about why you are a magnet for mosquitoes here.

MYTH: EATING CERTAIN FOODS CAN REPEL MOSQUITOES NATURALLY.

There are certain fragrances you can apply to your skin, such as lavender and peppermint essential oils to deter mosquitoes from biting you. However, there is no scientific evidence showing that eating certain foods will help naturally repel mosquitoes. 

On the other hand, researchers found that mosquitoes land on beer drinkers significantly more than their non-beer drinking counterparts. Mosquito Joe wants you to have a good time – that’s why we get rid of the buzz so you can enjoy yours.

FACT: MOSQUITOES ARE CONSIDERED THE MOST DANGEROUS ANIMAL ON THE PLANET.

While sharks only cause 10 deaths per year, mosquitoes cause 750,000 deaths a year. Mosquitoes kill by carrying a host of deadly diseases, such as malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever and dengue fever. More than half of all mosquito-related deaths can be attributed to malaria, and most of these cases originate in sub-Saharan Africa. Dengue fever is another mosquito-borne illness that is common in Asian and Latin American countries.

You can help put an end to malaria by donating to our partner, Nothing But Nets. For every $10 donated, two-bed nets will be donated to areas in need of protection from this life-threatening disease.

MYTH: BUG ZAPPERS EFFECTIVELY CONTROL MOSQUITOES.

Bugs are attracted to carbon dioxide and water vapor in the breath of mammals, not ultraviolet light. In fact, research shows that yards with bug zappers had higher numbers of female mosquitoes than those without bug zappers. This is because the bug zapper actually kills insects that eat mosquitoes.

FACT: MOSQUITO JOE RIDS YOUR YARD OF MOSQUITOES SO YOU CAN ENJOY OUTSIDE AGAIN.

Mosquito Joe offers unique solutions to make outside fun again – without the nuisance of pesky mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas. Our certified and trained technicians visit your property to provide a barrier treatment, delivering effective outdoor pest control treatments to make your yard itch-free.

Tired of battling mosquitoes in your backyard? No contracts are required and your satisfaction is guaranteed. Give us a call at 855-ASK-A-JOE for more information or request a FREE quote at mosquitojoe.com.

One factor that can be particularly impactful to our services and the mosquito population overall is rain. We know this can raise questions when it comes to your barrier treatment, so we’ve got a few tips to make sure your yard stays itch-free, no matter what mother nature throws your way.

As long as your yard has had adequate time to dry after the application of your treatment (approximately 30 minutes), rain should not impact the effectiveness of your service. Our product is not significantly broken down by water! 

While our product is not affected by rain once it is dry, it is important to note that increased rainfall generally causes an increase in mosquito population since mosquitoes lay their eggs and their larvae live and grow in the water. However, given some time, our product will continue to reduce the mosquitoes on your property. 

With many areas in the country experiencing higher than average rainfall this season, it’s likely standing water will accumulate on your property which could be a potential breeding area for mosquitoes. To ensure that there is no standing water in your yard, follow the below checklist prior to expected rainfall: 

• Get rid of any old items that could hold water such as old tires, buckets or cans.
• Be sure to empty any kiddie pools and toys. Turning them over and leaving them upside down overnight can help drain any water.
• Clean out any standing water in flower pots.
• Repair leaky outdoor faucets.
• Be sure your gutters are cleaned at least two times a year and have them checked more frequently if your area experiences heavy rain and wind.
• Keep garbage pails covered tightly.
• If you have a boat, canoe or kayak in your driveway, be sure it is covered or drained of any water.
• Change or drain tarps for firewood or outdoor pools, as well as check your barbecue cover daily for any pooled water.
• Change the water in birdbaths daily. We also suggest purchasing a water agitator for birdbaths which is designed to attract birds, but discourages mosquitoes!
• Lastly, we recommend keeping your lawn cut short. Short grass will help deter adult mosquitoes from hanging around, as they prefer to rest in cool, damp and shady areas.

The MoJo Guarantee

Mosquitoes suck, but we are confident that you won’t feel that way about our mosquito control services. For that reason, we offer our MoJo Satisfaction Guarantee and never lock you into a contract. If you are not completely satisfied with the effectiveness of our mosquito, tick and flea treatments, contact us within 14 days of your service and we will schedule a time to reassess your property, and if needed, provide a booster treatment at no additional cost. We pride ourselves on customer service and our job is not done until you’re happy and outside is fun again!

There’s no job too big or too small for us here at Mosquito Joe, so give us a call today for a free quote at 855-ASK-A-JOE or mosquitojoe.com

Some of the most exciting moments of the summer occur outdoors. Between sports, backyard barbecues, and sunbathing, there’s never a shortage of things to do! One of the most annoying things about enjoying the outdoors are mosquito bites. Who wants to spend the first few innings of their baseball game swatting? And nothing ruins an outdoor wedding like taking your eyes away from the bride and groom to relieve the itch from a bite. We know how awful mosquito bites can be, so here’s some information on how you and your family can ditch the itch this summer.

Why do mosquito bites itch so much?

Mosquito bites appear when a female mosquito draws blood from a host. (Fun fact: Only female mosquitoes bite!) These bites can appear as small read bumps on the skin or as larger swollen areas. When mosquitoes draw blood, a protein is released into the blood system, causing general irritation of the skin and of course, itching.

We all know the automatic reaction to a mosquito bite is to scratch, however, this can lead to further irritation as scratching can damage the skin and lead to infection. So, what can you do? Here are some DIY remedies you can use:

One of the simplest ways to alleviate the itch of a mosquito bite is to apply a cold compress to the affected area. A small bag of ice can help reduce swelling and redness as well as temporarily soothe any itching. If you don’t have ice, a bag of frozen peas is a great alternative. Don’t worry, we’re not judging!

If you frequently get sunburned, you likely have the next ingredient in your cabinet. Aloe vera is a great, natural anti-septic that can help ease the pain of mosquito bites. You can use aloe vera gel which is available in most supermarkets or, you can get an aloe vera plant and scoop out the fresh gel. Another method is to remove the gel from the plant, blend until it reaches a smooth consistency, pour into an ice tray, and freeze. This makes for an easy application with less mess and a satisfying cooling sensation.

Another remedy that you may have at home is honey. While it’s most famous for being a natural sweetener, honey also has a number of antibiotic properties that can help combat irritation from mosquito bites. Using this ingredient, you can get rid of the itch fast and protect the area from infection.

Typically used in skincare, witch hazel is another household item that can be beneficial for fighting the itch of mosquito bites. Because it is an astringent, witch hazel helps lessen the irritation at the location of the bite.

Using essential oils to treat mosquito bites is a trendier solution. Natural oils such as lavender and tea tree oil help take out the sting and unpleasantness of mosquito bites, not to mention the added benefit of making you smell amazing. Be mindful when using essential oils, as a little goes a long way! You only need a drop or two diluted with a carrier oil (such as jojoba or coconut) or water to do the trick. Using too much can result in further skin irritation. To make this solution a little more convenient, you can create your own essential oil roller!

The most common ways to combat mosquito bites are applying common over-the-counter items such as hydrocortisone or calamine lotion. Both of these medicated creams help to relieve itchiness on contact and provide relief almost instantly.

The best way to protect yourself from mosquito bites is to make sure that your outdoor spaces have been treated by Mosquito Joe! Don’t let mosquito bites ruin your summer. Call Mosquito Joe today to ensure that you can enjoy your backyard without worrying about bites from mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas.

Believe it or not, the first day of Fall is quickly approaching, which means the official end of summer is upon us. But just because we’re saying goodbye to summer on the calendar doesn’t mean we’re saying goodbye to warmer temperatures and those pesky mosquitoes. In most parts of the country, there are weeks (if not months!) of warm weather ahead, and with the temperatures cooling just a bit and humidity giving us a break, it’s the ideal time to enjoy the outdoors. You may be tempted to end your mosquito spraying season a bit early, especially if the kids are in school for a majority of the day. But we wanted to give you some information on why completing the full season of barrier spray treatments can help you avoid a frustrating start to your autumn and help your spring be a lot less itchy.

The Life Cycle of Mosquitoes

The last few sprays are some of the most important for a couple of reasons. Ending your spray season early not only breaks the barrier our services provide, it also gives mosquitoes a chance to breed. The time it takes a mosquito to complete the life cycle is 4-7 days. From the time a female lays her eggs to those eggs becoming biting adults is less than a week. Mosquitoes are tricky creatures. They lay eggs, hibernate, and can survive some pretty frigid temperatures throughout the winter months. All the eggs that were laid before hibernation can also survive the colder temps. They only need water and temperatures above 50 degrees to hatch! Cool weather like that might seem far off, but it’s only weeks away in some parts of the country. You might think the end of summer means the end of mosquitoes too, but stopping your mosquito control treatments early can backfire next year.

Avoid a Breeding Ground

If you end your season early, it gives female mosquitoes a chance to not only make your yard a home, but lay more eggs before the first freeze. That last mosquito treatment spray is vitally important to make sure technicians get rid of those last mosquitoes and mosquito larvae. Along with the barrier spray, our technicians can treat areas of standing water that are unavoidable. Examples of these are pool covers, creeks in your yard with muddy banks, or the base of flower pots. The technicians can treat these areas to make sure they stay free of mosquito larvae which keeps your yard “winterized.” If the last spray and treated areas of water are completed, then there’s no spring hatching in your yard!

We know it’s tempting to cancel service, but after a long day at school, those kiddos will be itching for some outside fun at home. We want to make sure that’s the only itching going on around your house. If you have any questions about your season, contact your local Mosquito Joe, and they’ll be happy to explain the process to you.

Don’t let mosquitoes trick you into ending service before the season ends. You’ll thank us later.